World War II Russian Imperial Navy.
- Thread starter Aley
- Start date
Please, but I am sure in their projects. In 40 years of practice I have learned to feel the ships.
POD - the absence of the February Revolution of 1917, which according to my hypothesis is unsuccessful (or rather out-of-control) military coup. As a result, Russia remained a constitutional monarchy, and the First World War ended a year earlier than in real history.
https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=277574
As for TL, it seemed to me that the history of the Second World War, is clearly visible from the individual chapters in chronological order.
Insignias
I do not know how to get the translation. Well - as will, so be it.
Insignias
August 14, 1934. Crete. Evening.
- Ivan! Zdaval, Russian Ivan! - Rang out again a few tinned sips. Only has a little bit further than the last time.
"Well, it's not me, it's Ivan again some," fun thought Goshka. "And I did not bring a deck of cards, so I have nothing to take." Apparently, loudmouths moved by the one the footpath leading to the left, pass by it he made himself with great reluctance. But in the end, it turned out, did everything right.
After waiting a little, he was back on the road leading to the north. Unfortunately, after a hundred paces again had to dive into the forest, the road abruptly turns, and who was there waiting for the turn, it was completely incomprehensible. Was understandable only smell - clearly something there recently burned, wondering what? Crept through the bushes on bent, Goshka peered into the opened view.
After the turning really turned a lot of interesting things. Occupies a central place in the burnt V-6, with deployed in different directions towers. The smell was purely rubber-gasoline - sweetish component in it, fortunately, was not felt. And the gun from right turret was unscrewed, confirming that Providence mercifully turned to the tank crewmans, as there is not always.
The large-caliber "Hotchkiss" was in its rightful place in the left tower, and understandably so - drag this fool on his shoulders nobody voluntarily would not.
Far behind the destroyed tank, found two dead Bobs, cut one machine-gun fire, unfortunately unarmed. Their rifles, or whatever they were, of course cleaned tank crewmans. One of the Bobs, perhaps, and threw the bottle with gasoline, fragments of which now shone merrily aft tank.
Goshka glanced toward where indicates the length of the barrel, "Hotchkiss", and cursed himself for slow wits - bush in front of him was thoroughly punctured. For bush lay fat soldiers in the Greek form, but headless - bullet emitted from a heavy machine gun, took with them not only the brain, but the whole skull. And Teufel with him, but lay beside the new, varnish sling has not wiped, SVR-27, probably inherited the Pindos from the deceased paratrooper.
"Sliver" Goshka happily grabbed - with one revolver to war not many, but as it turned out, was delighted early - spare magazines at Pindos not find, in the store is self-charging were only seven bullets of the provisions of ten, although this wealth can dispose efficiently. What is good "Sliver" because it its reliability - regular Goshka' AF-26, despite its unparalleled firepower, had a nasty habit of occasionally clamping the sleeve member.
Goshka listened - Ivan seekers no longer be heard, and let them somewhere trail will lead them yes, but where to send horseless tankermens?
Of course in the woods, and left marks thoroughly - trampled grass, branches broken off on the bushes. In a free patch of grass lying mouthpiece cigarettes - yes, bend down to see the next one, do not need guys totally do not be frightened, you can get the upper see.
And here apparently resting, lounging on the grass, and the nearest tree with a knife cut the letters: "There was Vasya." Oh, Vasya, Vasya, and if there had been in my place English searchers what would it be?
In thinking about the sad fate of Vasya in a similar case, Goshka almost jumped into the clearing, where the overnight tank crewmans tabor. Brake in time, looked closer.
Present: squatting elderly Unther-officer and two alike as twins grubby kids, all three in tanks helmets. Someone fourth slept, wrapped in a cloak. Kids also tried to light a fire that Goshka categorically not like - wood, first, small, and secondly, rare. Stepping softly, he went to get up to mischief company and stood beside with Unther. Noticed it not immediately, accurately observed, but not understood what they were joined by a stranger. Unter even handed him a half-smoked cigarette before mislaid side, frantically grabbing holster. Kids numb with fear, forgetting leaning against the tree the rifles.
Gosha defiantly put towards a foot the butt of the SVR.
- Lance-corporal Georg Lauer - rapped it. - Second separate airborne battalion.
From under the cloak looked Val'ka Durkin.
- Oh, it's you, Dodger. Long time no see, - he mumbled sleepily and again took refuge with his head.
And then - more than two days had passed, they both stepped with wide as the street, stitched rows of rivets, the wing of TB-2, in a huge, once they have absorbed a void, collapsed towards the fantastic island, as if arising from a child read out the collection of Greek myths . The truth the whole four-hour flight from Gallipoli to Crete they sat almost opposite ends of the fuselage, but what were their reasons.
Although the steady hum of motors evoked a dream, no one, it seemed to Goshka, not sleeping. Apparently affected the thought of the bottomless depths of the sea, waiting under the belly of the airplane, inspired by what he had seen the spring in Vasilyev brothers film "Titanic." Only appears at the bottom side of the island to make people forget about the symbol of the coming destruction of the British Empire, taking the head more pressing matters. Although already hanging for cutting dome thought somehow about three hundred Spartans, perhaps because of the number of parachutists in the battalion.
Tankermens gradually came to himself, ready to start looking.
Unther-officer, Polycarp Petrovich, as it turned out, fought back in the last Patriotic. Only then he is a decent man, went on decent roads, since it indecent "Putilov-Garford" refused to move. In recent years he worked at the machine and tractor station the merchant Serebrov, so that at the call of the newly landed in Automobile-armor part, replacing, however, wheeled vehicle on caterpillar, has much better maneuverability, resulting in and found himself in the forest.
The attack began at noon - Guards Battalion of the 1st Marine Division and the Battalion "cereals", supported by four tanks, moved to the village, without artillery support of course - the promised battery either got lost somewhere, or was in their favor captured other part . British and Greeks, sheltering behind local stone houses, was, did not seem much, but when the tanks came close, he was hit in the forehead with anti-tank guns, and, judging by how quickly flashed machines - two-pound. What happened to another tank is unknown - Vasya, smart boy, golden head, understood immediately and without command squeeze maximum speed, slipped through the village. Almost immediately, on the outskirts of the same forest began, which was leaving the road on her and moved so as to go back under the gun had no meaning. We drove for about an hour before you came upon the Englishmen’s, who was carrying a bottle of gasoline. Flame was shot down, but what's the point - burned carburetor, and "Varka" was already on what unfit.
Kids were not twins, but quite different from the provinces - Vasek by Ryazan and Pet’ka by Tambov, but with six classes at his brother, that is valuable. In tankers they went willingly, because after the service expected to go to the driver. Incidentally, the knot in memory: now the army is more and more people from the Six-Year school, then have to hurry - time to earn a non-commissioned officer's stripes, then on superurgent buck and a sergeant-major. And do need something right now, and that for the machine rather stupidly lost pluck insignia available than will hang new ones. Oh, dear school, you're too late to become an eight-year, yet happy fool that two extra years to steam is not necessary, but now would be a direct road to the volunteer, and there and at the officers.
Chewed his portion of canned cold extremities - no fires! - Is firmly tankers enlightened, Goshka crouched near Valka, threw covers his face edge cape and he immediately opened his eyes.
- What are you doing, Durkin?
- And what?
- Over his shoulder! Tankers would kindle a fire here, and you to sleep as nonnative.
- Yes, and let by kindled - you're in the woods at least one Bob seen? Well, they all scurry along the roads, and then place a secluded, in the hollow.
- Not necessary.
- Oh, your soul is German! All you used to live under the statute.
- And we must put the clock - stuck to his guns Goshka.
- If someone fit, and so hear.
- I somehow came up.
- So what are you - Valka again wrapped in cloak and instantly fell asleep.
Thinking Goshka reluctantly agreed Valka righteousness - too sleepy, and lay there, some time pointlessly staring at the bright southern stars spangled sky.
From Valka they were chums since childhood - together went to the park Countess Apraksina to beat Scouts (with varying success), then the summer chasing a ball on one and then on the other side of the Neva in winter, homemade hockey sticks, ice on the Neva bank. Then he grew up in a fist fight, all on the same ice (Russian against the Germans - Hah!!), Valka Gosha front tooth knocked out, because Olenka of course, with good reason - she still ran after the engineer with Obukhov plant, but on friendship and ended. If Vater and mama not splurged on a gold Fix, hell he got in the MDB - taking only those who had no physical defect.
Parents are now experiencing, I suppose that Fix bought, then get used to that son jumping from an airplane as a child with a barn. Vater and said, "would serve you, George, in the infantry, and us with Mutter was calmer." Right now! Sitting in a trench under the guidance of a drunken captain or lieutenant (see, know), pissed at the whole world for his career has not developed? And you people in the MDB and its officer guy that jumped together and eat together and sleep, often sheltered a cape.
Finally dreamed big eyes astonished face Dashka-niece: "And how are you, Uncle George to jump from heaven? Oh really not scared?"
Scary.
August 15, 1934. Forest. Morning.
Woke Goshka, and all the rest, the roar of engines - in the gaps between tree crowns important sailed, stackable outstretched wings, TB-1. Goshka suddenly remembered that British airplanes he saw a couple of times from the date of disembarkation, that says a lot.
Had breakfast with the same canned "soup porridge," the last two banks of tankists emergency ration. When up and recovered, Petrovich stood up suddenly to attention:
- Well, you, this, Georg Adamitch, by commanding. Well I understand.
And so, yes! Goshka stared at Sergeant: No, anything can happen, of course, well, he's not career military, after all. And yet.. Himself Goshka already prepared for a long dispute, which hoped to prove his fitness for the great command was in the enemy's rear small subdivision.
Built. Kids were armed with captured repeating rifles SMLE, shortened, some new models have also been Polycarp Petrovic tank gun, which had four disc store, two of which, however, were laid them on the other tankmens. Goshka, peered silently took one of the shops and took some shots myself cartridges benefit they were the same as that of the SVR – 3x16. Valka sighed enviously - his PPL-30 require very different rounds, and he shot them already done.
- So so fighters - Goshka cleared his throat. - The object of our will get through to her, and of course, on the way, pick up the noise as much as possible, so that the Bobs honey did not seem service.
- And what is more important? - With obvious derision asked Valya.
- Important? - Gosha pretended to think about. - Exit course. But make some noise.
Moved through the woods, to the north.
For a small Greek village they came a couple of hours later.
Forest village separated from a small field and on it, near the very edge, picking ground hoe old mustachioed Pindos, with a wrinkled face tanned subsidiaries. Seeing armed men, he dropped his hoe, and stood motionless, doom hanging heavy peasant hands at your sides.
- Hundred Horio Eyni poo? - Difficulty remembering the words of the military phrase, asked him Goshka.
The farmer obviously surprised.
- Ruski? - He asked instead of answering (although local already could learn to distinguish the Russian uniforms from the English). Then he gave a completely incomprehensible sentence.
- Let me talk to him, - having crawled forward golden head Vasek mechanic-driver. - I can get.
- What are you, you know Greek? Where? - Surprised Goshka, staring in disbelief at the Ryazan typical snub-nosed face.
- Our Dad taught me, in even then village, - said Vasek.
- Pop what?
- Yeah, he's a well-educated, the Academy had finished, and then it was sent to us it. For policy - added kid proudly.
- Well, then talk to him - hesitantly (something seemed wrong) allowed Goshka.
Vasek babbling briskly, turning to the farmer. He blinked, clearly not understanding, and to Goshka finally realized: pop-politician Vasya taught ancient Greek, whose current pindos’ not obliged to know.
The farmer suddenly spoke a different language, which occasionally slipped familiar words. Bulgarian?
- British? - Goshka asked in Russian, - Dieu zoldaten? There are British in the village? There?
The farmer is clearly understood, and shook his head.
- Well, well, lead - Goshka again waved his hand toward the village, but the Greek (or Bulgarian yet?) Remains in place, muttering and nodding fervently.
Shooting began when they went exactly half way to the nearest houses, so run back to the forest had headlong. Looking back on the run, Goshka had noticed crumbling chain Bobs, fifteen pieces, not less. Bloody peasant fell into the furrow - whether catching a stray bullet, whether correctly realizing that the Russian will to it is now much less forgiving.
Kids, first run to the trees, opened for them and hurried fire is good though not touched stragglers. Raced past them, Goshka hastily shouted:
- Not here! Then there is a place!
Had is granted by, so much so that the trees flashed as lampposts at a trip to Petrograd the elevated railway. Petrovich fell behind though, but not much.
Suitable place Goshka noticed just in case another approach - flat meadow, Yum, and on the other hand, by the road, a few felled, apparently a recent storm, trees. Behind them, and took refuge, breath, waiting persecutors and those were not slow to appear.
The British, of course, not snooping into the clearing at once, and looked around at first, and only then came out from behind the trees, on the move again lining up the chain. Goshka carefully counted them - only thirteen, and only then ordered to open fire, itself, however, began shooting not immediately, but at first glance, the behavior of the tankermens.
Vasek shot pretty well, but Petya clearly underestimate the sight of what will have to tell him, but not before.
Goshka aimed lanky British sergeant, and nearly screamed in frustration: rifle cheerfully spit almost the whole clip one turn before he could let go of the trigger. Everything was clear - some folk craftsman (handles his playful tear) remade "sliver" under automatic fire, depriving it of its natural ability to shoot single. And it is clear now why the headless Pindos not find spare magazines - managed to shoot everything bastard.
Abruptly barked PTT by Petrovich, and Bobs lay down, which gave time to fill Goshka store new batch of cartridges, one naturally. Looking closer, noticed ruffling the grass (someone apparently cheated bolt action rifle) and has carefully produced there sparingly in three rounds, all. Swarming ceased.
Five minutes later, the English raised himself again; all of the remaining nine, and Sergeant perceptible among them was not. Moved cautiously, constantly ducking and not in vain - because out of a lone tree Valka in lay down with his "Lahti".
That beans passed Valka, who flew over the grass, as if thrown by a spring, the move slashed him in the back long, from the hip, queue and immediately fell back. Bobs enough. Without saying a word, all six, ran off without looking back. Fired after them, but to no avail - only at most one of the trees swayed but did not fall, but kept running. British return obviously not going.
- Seem all.
After waiting a bit, Goshka with Valya looked at each other and, hinges, went to the place where they were supposed to stay dead, or even not really, Bobs.
Got back on track in the scabbard hiding Finnish knifes. Kids seems to have understood nothing, and Petrovich hastily looked away.
We found a couple of dead British double sandwiches with meat and pickles wrapped in wax paper, and Sergeant flask with some cloudy, probably local, swill. Sandwiches decided to leave for dinner, to the same flask in turn slightly attached (only refused Vasek).
Goshka nod withdrew Valya aside:
- One sergeant in German spricht bit.
- That's what I see you with him for a long time... So what?
- And that! They are from the airfield team is there to close the airfield, in the woods. Do you hear?
- Not yet - it was full of Bobs, perhaps, but five of us, but three little fit.
- Come on, great guys, already shelled and small airfield was only a dozen fighters, but now only three remain. And the fighters they just thirty bayonets.
- We have enough.
- Hey, this is the mechanics, but other riffraff, what do you think we would infantry banished so easily? Right now! That they would have us...
- Though I Durkin, but not a fool. You, Dodger, new insignia earn want - I understand. And I do that? I'll go with you, and shall not be gone, but for the tank crew you have to answer before God.
- And answer.
Petrovich idea of an attack on the airfield to accept modest, but both kids already lit - a successful skirmish with the British failed for them in vain.
- Would the tank is intact, - sighed Petrovich.
The tank is nice, but did not give a thought Goshka rest of rendered in knock out a tank beans bottle with gasoline. Somewhere it is they come from? In what the British, in their rear, walked about with this bottle ready, do not believe at all. Welcome to another with alcohol, but with gasoline?
The airfield was a large clearing surrounded by low shrubs. Eyed Valka found standing under trees airplane, then the tower studded branches, or guard, or what else. The second airplane sat around seven in the evening, the soldiers came running like ants swarmed him and instantly rolled under the trees, not far from the first. After waiting another hour, but the third fighter somewhere disappeared and seems to meet.
- And what do we do, Your Excellency, Mr. Lance Corporal? - Asked Valka (he had not looked at the airfield, and was lying on his back, biting wading blade of grass).
- Airplanes burn, what else? Tankmens, through the forest suit, fire to distract the attention, but meanwhile we...
- Matches lit again? Perhal, he lights up badly, and the pomegranate, we have only one.
- Percale - mechanically straightened Goshka. - There's gas tank is, of course, but where to find it?
Bottles with gasoline needed, and he finally realized where they can be.
- Come on, - said he crawled back.
- Where to?
- To the tank.
Near the burnt "Varka" nothing seems changed, although Petrovich inspecting tank dissatisfied pursed his lips and said that disappeared entrenching tools, and, consequently, some of the local had already visited here. The bodies of the slain, however, remained in their places, plastered with clouds of flies.
Goshka immediately reached into the bushes where he had to jump out calculations Bobs, nothing, nothing, and suddenly - "Hy-shit!" (In the words of a visiting magician, speaking in the rural People's House) - a box full of bottles with long paper tube. His Bobs and dragged to the front until they met a lost Russian tank. And where was dragged too clear - from the very small airfield where gasoline even drown.
That's all, folks. All that is necessary.
August 16, 1934. British airfield. Night.
Southern night is dark, but the starlight was enough for the experienced eye. Goshka finally found the time, he stood motionless, just between the two fighters. Napping or not? And is there a second?
Goshka began to regret that let Valya with tank crews - together would be much handier. He looked at the little phosphorescent dial - 12.20 - the guys have to start in ten minutes, hours with Valka reconciled accurately and hours at which time he will have time to accurately pin.
He quickly crawled to the guard, and, almost immediately, to the side where the tower, the dog yelped and immediately burst into furious barking. Goshka to covered cold sweat, but the shots, and then burst, cracked in the same place, and muddler hour rushed around the airplane in the same direction, leaving the post, so I had to spend an extra second to hide the knife already unnecessary. Goshka rushed to the airplane, lit the wick of paper and threw the bottle in the cab, and followed her to the reliability of the grenade.
Stooping, he ran to the second fighter to it was fifteen fathoms, when behind flashed returning sentry cried hysterically, "Alarm!" And someone else ran after him, shooting on the move, so there was no time to set fire to a second bottle somewhere out there, the tower began to relish burst grenades and machine gun by Petrovic silent and Gosha a somersault rushed back into the saving and thickets, already there, something hot hit him in the back, finally kicked the spirit and settle the mind.
Shoot, it seems from all sides and, judging by a passing quite close tracers it is for him. It was very painful, but still this Durkin, pulling him by the armpits - he did not understand, you bastard, that makes it worse?
- Well, are you a heavy creature, Dodger. But I'll still drag - Valka muttered. - Does not leave... And do not think you're the one for me once again... should not...
Pausing in mid-sentence, Valka dropped Goshka and lay there, staring blindly into his eyes. Goshka, awkwardly tossing tried to pull out of the holster, but could not - fingers completely stopped listening. Someone's huge figure obscured the light.
- Here Your Nobleness, ours skydivers. One still alive.
Head bent over Goshka people crowned peaked helmet-bogatyrkas.
Unthers insignias for shattered enemy airfield Goshka handed together with the soldiers "George" - he, however, got all the surviving paratroopers. All forty-two.
I do not know how to get the translation. Well - as will, so be it.
Insignias
August 14, 1934. Crete. Evening.
- Ivan! Zdaval, Russian Ivan! - Rang out again a few tinned sips. Only has a little bit further than the last time.
"Well, it's not me, it's Ivan again some," fun thought Goshka. "And I did not bring a deck of cards, so I have nothing to take." Apparently, loudmouths moved by the one the footpath leading to the left, pass by it he made himself with great reluctance. But in the end, it turned out, did everything right.
After waiting a little, he was back on the road leading to the north. Unfortunately, after a hundred paces again had to dive into the forest, the road abruptly turns, and who was there waiting for the turn, it was completely incomprehensible. Was understandable only smell - clearly something there recently burned, wondering what? Crept through the bushes on bent, Goshka peered into the opened view.
After the turning really turned a lot of interesting things. Occupies a central place in the burnt V-6, with deployed in different directions towers. The smell was purely rubber-gasoline - sweetish component in it, fortunately, was not felt. And the gun from right turret was unscrewed, confirming that Providence mercifully turned to the tank crewmans, as there is not always.
The large-caliber "Hotchkiss" was in its rightful place in the left tower, and understandably so - drag this fool on his shoulders nobody voluntarily would not.
Far behind the destroyed tank, found two dead Bobs, cut one machine-gun fire, unfortunately unarmed. Their rifles, or whatever they were, of course cleaned tank crewmans. One of the Bobs, perhaps, and threw the bottle with gasoline, fragments of which now shone merrily aft tank.
Goshka glanced toward where indicates the length of the barrel, "Hotchkiss", and cursed himself for slow wits - bush in front of him was thoroughly punctured. For bush lay fat soldiers in the Greek form, but headless - bullet emitted from a heavy machine gun, took with them not only the brain, but the whole skull. And Teufel with him, but lay beside the new, varnish sling has not wiped, SVR-27, probably inherited the Pindos from the deceased paratrooper.
"Sliver" Goshka happily grabbed - with one revolver to war not many, but as it turned out, was delighted early - spare magazines at Pindos not find, in the store is self-charging were only seven bullets of the provisions of ten, although this wealth can dispose efficiently. What is good "Sliver" because it its reliability - regular Goshka' AF-26, despite its unparalleled firepower, had a nasty habit of occasionally clamping the sleeve member.
Goshka listened - Ivan seekers no longer be heard, and let them somewhere trail will lead them yes, but where to send horseless tankermens?
Of course in the woods, and left marks thoroughly - trampled grass, branches broken off on the bushes. In a free patch of grass lying mouthpiece cigarettes - yes, bend down to see the next one, do not need guys totally do not be frightened, you can get the upper see.
And here apparently resting, lounging on the grass, and the nearest tree with a knife cut the letters: "There was Vasya." Oh, Vasya, Vasya, and if there had been in my place English searchers what would it be?
In thinking about the sad fate of Vasya in a similar case, Goshka almost jumped into the clearing, where the overnight tank crewmans tabor. Brake in time, looked closer.
Present: squatting elderly Unther-officer and two alike as twins grubby kids, all three in tanks helmets. Someone fourth slept, wrapped in a cloak. Kids also tried to light a fire that Goshka categorically not like - wood, first, small, and secondly, rare. Stepping softly, he went to get up to mischief company and stood beside with Unther. Noticed it not immediately, accurately observed, but not understood what they were joined by a stranger. Unter even handed him a half-smoked cigarette before mislaid side, frantically grabbing holster. Kids numb with fear, forgetting leaning against the tree the rifles.
Gosha defiantly put towards a foot the butt of the SVR.
- Lance-corporal Georg Lauer - rapped it. - Second separate airborne battalion.
From under the cloak looked Val'ka Durkin.
- Oh, it's you, Dodger. Long time no see, - he mumbled sleepily and again took refuge with his head.
And then - more than two days had passed, they both stepped with wide as the street, stitched rows of rivets, the wing of TB-2, in a huge, once they have absorbed a void, collapsed towards the fantastic island, as if arising from a child read out the collection of Greek myths . The truth the whole four-hour flight from Gallipoli to Crete they sat almost opposite ends of the fuselage, but what were their reasons.
Although the steady hum of motors evoked a dream, no one, it seemed to Goshka, not sleeping. Apparently affected the thought of the bottomless depths of the sea, waiting under the belly of the airplane, inspired by what he had seen the spring in Vasilyev brothers film "Titanic." Only appears at the bottom side of the island to make people forget about the symbol of the coming destruction of the British Empire, taking the head more pressing matters. Although already hanging for cutting dome thought somehow about three hundred Spartans, perhaps because of the number of parachutists in the battalion.
Tankermens gradually came to himself, ready to start looking.
Unther-officer, Polycarp Petrovich, as it turned out, fought back in the last Patriotic. Only then he is a decent man, went on decent roads, since it indecent "Putilov-Garford" refused to move. In recent years he worked at the machine and tractor station the merchant Serebrov, so that at the call of the newly landed in Automobile-armor part, replacing, however, wheeled vehicle on caterpillar, has much better maneuverability, resulting in and found himself in the forest.
The attack began at noon - Guards Battalion of the 1st Marine Division and the Battalion "cereals", supported by four tanks, moved to the village, without artillery support of course - the promised battery either got lost somewhere, or was in their favor captured other part . British and Greeks, sheltering behind local stone houses, was, did not seem much, but when the tanks came close, he was hit in the forehead with anti-tank guns, and, judging by how quickly flashed machines - two-pound. What happened to another tank is unknown - Vasya, smart boy, golden head, understood immediately and without command squeeze maximum speed, slipped through the village. Almost immediately, on the outskirts of the same forest began, which was leaving the road on her and moved so as to go back under the gun had no meaning. We drove for about an hour before you came upon the Englishmen’s, who was carrying a bottle of gasoline. Flame was shot down, but what's the point - burned carburetor, and "Varka" was already on what unfit.
Kids were not twins, but quite different from the provinces - Vasek by Ryazan and Pet’ka by Tambov, but with six classes at his brother, that is valuable. In tankers they went willingly, because after the service expected to go to the driver. Incidentally, the knot in memory: now the army is more and more people from the Six-Year school, then have to hurry - time to earn a non-commissioned officer's stripes, then on superurgent buck and a sergeant-major. And do need something right now, and that for the machine rather stupidly lost pluck insignia available than will hang new ones. Oh, dear school, you're too late to become an eight-year, yet happy fool that two extra years to steam is not necessary, but now would be a direct road to the volunteer, and there and at the officers.
Chewed his portion of canned cold extremities - no fires! - Is firmly tankers enlightened, Goshka crouched near Valka, threw covers his face edge cape and he immediately opened his eyes.
- What are you doing, Durkin?
- And what?
- Over his shoulder! Tankers would kindle a fire here, and you to sleep as nonnative.
- Yes, and let by kindled - you're in the woods at least one Bob seen? Well, they all scurry along the roads, and then place a secluded, in the hollow.
- Not necessary.
- Oh, your soul is German! All you used to live under the statute.
- And we must put the clock - stuck to his guns Goshka.
- If someone fit, and so hear.
- I somehow came up.
- So what are you - Valka again wrapped in cloak and instantly fell asleep.
Thinking Goshka reluctantly agreed Valka righteousness - too sleepy, and lay there, some time pointlessly staring at the bright southern stars spangled sky.
From Valka they were chums since childhood - together went to the park Countess Apraksina to beat Scouts (with varying success), then the summer chasing a ball on one and then on the other side of the Neva in winter, homemade hockey sticks, ice on the Neva bank. Then he grew up in a fist fight, all on the same ice (Russian against the Germans - Hah!!), Valka Gosha front tooth knocked out, because Olenka of course, with good reason - she still ran after the engineer with Obukhov plant, but on friendship and ended. If Vater and mama not splurged on a gold Fix, hell he got in the MDB - taking only those who had no physical defect.
Parents are now experiencing, I suppose that Fix bought, then get used to that son jumping from an airplane as a child with a barn. Vater and said, "would serve you, George, in the infantry, and us with Mutter was calmer." Right now! Sitting in a trench under the guidance of a drunken captain or lieutenant (see, know), pissed at the whole world for his career has not developed? And you people in the MDB and its officer guy that jumped together and eat together and sleep, often sheltered a cape.
Finally dreamed big eyes astonished face Dashka-niece: "And how are you, Uncle George to jump from heaven? Oh really not scared?"
Scary.
August 15, 1934. Forest. Morning.
Woke Goshka, and all the rest, the roar of engines - in the gaps between tree crowns important sailed, stackable outstretched wings, TB-1. Goshka suddenly remembered that British airplanes he saw a couple of times from the date of disembarkation, that says a lot.
Had breakfast with the same canned "soup porridge," the last two banks of tankists emergency ration. When up and recovered, Petrovich stood up suddenly to attention:
- Well, you, this, Georg Adamitch, by commanding. Well I understand.
And so, yes! Goshka stared at Sergeant: No, anything can happen, of course, well, he's not career military, after all. And yet.. Himself Goshka already prepared for a long dispute, which hoped to prove his fitness for the great command was in the enemy's rear small subdivision.
Built. Kids were armed with captured repeating rifles SMLE, shortened, some new models have also been Polycarp Petrovic tank gun, which had four disc store, two of which, however, were laid them on the other tankmens. Goshka, peered silently took one of the shops and took some shots myself cartridges benefit they were the same as that of the SVR – 3x16. Valka sighed enviously - his PPL-30 require very different rounds, and he shot them already done.
- So so fighters - Goshka cleared his throat. - The object of our will get through to her, and of course, on the way, pick up the noise as much as possible, so that the Bobs honey did not seem service.
- And what is more important? - With obvious derision asked Valya.
- Important? - Gosha pretended to think about. - Exit course. But make some noise.
Moved through the woods, to the north.
For a small Greek village they came a couple of hours later.
Forest village separated from a small field and on it, near the very edge, picking ground hoe old mustachioed Pindos, with a wrinkled face tanned subsidiaries. Seeing armed men, he dropped his hoe, and stood motionless, doom hanging heavy peasant hands at your sides.
- Hundred Horio Eyni poo? - Difficulty remembering the words of the military phrase, asked him Goshka.
The farmer obviously surprised.
- Ruski? - He asked instead of answering (although local already could learn to distinguish the Russian uniforms from the English). Then he gave a completely incomprehensible sentence.
- Let me talk to him, - having crawled forward golden head Vasek mechanic-driver. - I can get.
- What are you, you know Greek? Where? - Surprised Goshka, staring in disbelief at the Ryazan typical snub-nosed face.
- Our Dad taught me, in even then village, - said Vasek.
- Pop what?
- Yeah, he's a well-educated, the Academy had finished, and then it was sent to us it. For policy - added kid proudly.
- Well, then talk to him - hesitantly (something seemed wrong) allowed Goshka.
Vasek babbling briskly, turning to the farmer. He blinked, clearly not understanding, and to Goshka finally realized: pop-politician Vasya taught ancient Greek, whose current pindos’ not obliged to know.
The farmer suddenly spoke a different language, which occasionally slipped familiar words. Bulgarian?
- British? - Goshka asked in Russian, - Dieu zoldaten? There are British in the village? There?
The farmer is clearly understood, and shook his head.
- Well, well, lead - Goshka again waved his hand toward the village, but the Greek (or Bulgarian yet?) Remains in place, muttering and nodding fervently.
Shooting began when they went exactly half way to the nearest houses, so run back to the forest had headlong. Looking back on the run, Goshka had noticed crumbling chain Bobs, fifteen pieces, not less. Bloody peasant fell into the furrow - whether catching a stray bullet, whether correctly realizing that the Russian will to it is now much less forgiving.
Kids, first run to the trees, opened for them and hurried fire is good though not touched stragglers. Raced past them, Goshka hastily shouted:
- Not here! Then there is a place!
Had is granted by, so much so that the trees flashed as lampposts at a trip to Petrograd the elevated railway. Petrovich fell behind though, but not much.
Suitable place Goshka noticed just in case another approach - flat meadow, Yum, and on the other hand, by the road, a few felled, apparently a recent storm, trees. Behind them, and took refuge, breath, waiting persecutors and those were not slow to appear.
The British, of course, not snooping into the clearing at once, and looked around at first, and only then came out from behind the trees, on the move again lining up the chain. Goshka carefully counted them - only thirteen, and only then ordered to open fire, itself, however, began shooting not immediately, but at first glance, the behavior of the tankermens.
Vasek shot pretty well, but Petya clearly underestimate the sight of what will have to tell him, but not before.
Goshka aimed lanky British sergeant, and nearly screamed in frustration: rifle cheerfully spit almost the whole clip one turn before he could let go of the trigger. Everything was clear - some folk craftsman (handles his playful tear) remade "sliver" under automatic fire, depriving it of its natural ability to shoot single. And it is clear now why the headless Pindos not find spare magazines - managed to shoot everything bastard.
Abruptly barked PTT by Petrovich, and Bobs lay down, which gave time to fill Goshka store new batch of cartridges, one naturally. Looking closer, noticed ruffling the grass (someone apparently cheated bolt action rifle) and has carefully produced there sparingly in three rounds, all. Swarming ceased.
Five minutes later, the English raised himself again; all of the remaining nine, and Sergeant perceptible among them was not. Moved cautiously, constantly ducking and not in vain - because out of a lone tree Valka in lay down with his "Lahti".
That beans passed Valka, who flew over the grass, as if thrown by a spring, the move slashed him in the back long, from the hip, queue and immediately fell back. Bobs enough. Without saying a word, all six, ran off without looking back. Fired after them, but to no avail - only at most one of the trees swayed but did not fall, but kept running. British return obviously not going.
- Seem all.
After waiting a bit, Goshka with Valya looked at each other and, hinges, went to the place where they were supposed to stay dead, or even not really, Bobs.
Got back on track in the scabbard hiding Finnish knifes. Kids seems to have understood nothing, and Petrovich hastily looked away.
We found a couple of dead British double sandwiches with meat and pickles wrapped in wax paper, and Sergeant flask with some cloudy, probably local, swill. Sandwiches decided to leave for dinner, to the same flask in turn slightly attached (only refused Vasek).
Goshka nod withdrew Valya aside:
- One sergeant in German spricht bit.
- That's what I see you with him for a long time... So what?
- And that! They are from the airfield team is there to close the airfield, in the woods. Do you hear?
- Not yet - it was full of Bobs, perhaps, but five of us, but three little fit.
- Come on, great guys, already shelled and small airfield was only a dozen fighters, but now only three remain. And the fighters they just thirty bayonets.
- We have enough.
- Hey, this is the mechanics, but other riffraff, what do you think we would infantry banished so easily? Right now! That they would have us...
- Though I Durkin, but not a fool. You, Dodger, new insignia earn want - I understand. And I do that? I'll go with you, and shall not be gone, but for the tank crew you have to answer before God.
- And answer.
Petrovich idea of an attack on the airfield to accept modest, but both kids already lit - a successful skirmish with the British failed for them in vain.
- Would the tank is intact, - sighed Petrovich.
The tank is nice, but did not give a thought Goshka rest of rendered in knock out a tank beans bottle with gasoline. Somewhere it is they come from? In what the British, in their rear, walked about with this bottle ready, do not believe at all. Welcome to another with alcohol, but with gasoline?
The airfield was a large clearing surrounded by low shrubs. Eyed Valka found standing under trees airplane, then the tower studded branches, or guard, or what else. The second airplane sat around seven in the evening, the soldiers came running like ants swarmed him and instantly rolled under the trees, not far from the first. After waiting another hour, but the third fighter somewhere disappeared and seems to meet.
- And what do we do, Your Excellency, Mr. Lance Corporal? - Asked Valka (he had not looked at the airfield, and was lying on his back, biting wading blade of grass).
- Airplanes burn, what else? Tankmens, through the forest suit, fire to distract the attention, but meanwhile we...
- Matches lit again? Perhal, he lights up badly, and the pomegranate, we have only one.
- Percale - mechanically straightened Goshka. - There's gas tank is, of course, but where to find it?
Bottles with gasoline needed, and he finally realized where they can be.
- Come on, - said he crawled back.
- Where to?
- To the tank.
Near the burnt "Varka" nothing seems changed, although Petrovich inspecting tank dissatisfied pursed his lips and said that disappeared entrenching tools, and, consequently, some of the local had already visited here. The bodies of the slain, however, remained in their places, plastered with clouds of flies.
Goshka immediately reached into the bushes where he had to jump out calculations Bobs, nothing, nothing, and suddenly - "Hy-shit!" (In the words of a visiting magician, speaking in the rural People's House) - a box full of bottles with long paper tube. His Bobs and dragged to the front until they met a lost Russian tank. And where was dragged too clear - from the very small airfield where gasoline even drown.
That's all, folks. All that is necessary.
August 16, 1934. British airfield. Night.
Southern night is dark, but the starlight was enough for the experienced eye. Goshka finally found the time, he stood motionless, just between the two fighters. Napping or not? And is there a second?
Goshka began to regret that let Valya with tank crews - together would be much handier. He looked at the little phosphorescent dial - 12.20 - the guys have to start in ten minutes, hours with Valka reconciled accurately and hours at which time he will have time to accurately pin.
He quickly crawled to the guard, and, almost immediately, to the side where the tower, the dog yelped and immediately burst into furious barking. Goshka to covered cold sweat, but the shots, and then burst, cracked in the same place, and muddler hour rushed around the airplane in the same direction, leaving the post, so I had to spend an extra second to hide the knife already unnecessary. Goshka rushed to the airplane, lit the wick of paper and threw the bottle in the cab, and followed her to the reliability of the grenade.
Stooping, he ran to the second fighter to it was fifteen fathoms, when behind flashed returning sentry cried hysterically, "Alarm!" And someone else ran after him, shooting on the move, so there was no time to set fire to a second bottle somewhere out there, the tower began to relish burst grenades and machine gun by Petrovic silent and Gosha a somersault rushed back into the saving and thickets, already there, something hot hit him in the back, finally kicked the spirit and settle the mind.
Shoot, it seems from all sides and, judging by a passing quite close tracers it is for him. It was very painful, but still this Durkin, pulling him by the armpits - he did not understand, you bastard, that makes it worse?
- Well, are you a heavy creature, Dodger. But I'll still drag - Valka muttered. - Does not leave... And do not think you're the one for me once again... should not...
Pausing in mid-sentence, Valka dropped Goshka and lay there, staring blindly into his eyes. Goshka, awkwardly tossing tried to pull out of the holster, but could not - fingers completely stopped listening. Someone's huge figure obscured the light.
- Here Your Nobleness, ours skydivers. One still alive.
Head bent over Goshka people crowned peaked helmet-bogatyrkas.
Unthers insignias for shattered enemy airfield Goshka handed together with the soldiers "George" - he, however, got all the surviving paratroopers. All forty-two.
Colossi
Which began in the summer of 1934 the Second World War, naturally buried all the limitations of the Washington and London Naval Treaty. Felt free from the constraints involved in the war state immediately began construction of new battleships. Nevertheless, before designers created new restrictions now associated with the need for rapid construction of battleships, limiting their displacement and not lets you perform all the requirements put forward by the sailors.
Until the end of 1934 the British were laid four battleships: "Lion" (Vickers-Armstrong), "Unicorn" (John Brown), "Emperor of India" (Fairfield) and "Prince of Wales" (Swan Hunter). The ideology of the project under development is strongly influenced by the complete absence (after the death of "Hood") as part of the Royal Navy fast battleships, combat power comparable with Russian "Izmails." Representatives demanded a fleet of ships to 30 knots of speed, superior Russian battle cruisers on arms and reservation, but as is often the case, to meet these requirements was only partially.
An initial draft of a armament of nine sixteen-inch guns was rejected almost immediately, as the Admiralty questioned the possibility of rapid production of this caliber guns and three-gun turrets. As a result began to develop a new version of a well-established 15-inch guns, increasing to 45 calibers long. For more acceleration work was recommended to lead the first ship of the tower left after the transformation is light-battlecruisers "Glorious" and "Courageoys" in aircraft carriers, and the on second to use the spare gun battleships type "Queen Elizabeth" and "Royal Sovereign". In order to reduce the displacement of at least a little to design ships, their speed was reduced to 29 knots, and the board armor was limited thickness of 330 mm (in the area of cellars) and 305 (engine and boiler room). Mine arms was presented twelve 152-mm guns in two-gun turrets, anti-aircraft and the same number of 114-mm, located in a recessed turrets.
42000 t. 29 kt. 4x2 381-mm/45, 6x2 152-mm/50, 6x2 114-mm/45. Reservations: 330-305 mm.
In the spring of 1936 the battleship "Emperor of India" has been renamed, received a new name - "King George V».
United States in 1934 were laid battleships "Washington" (Norfolk Navy Yard), and "Indiana" (Philadelphia Navy Yard). The third ship of this type, "Alabama" (New York Shipbuilding), was founded in the spring of next year. Until the end of 1935 in the United States were laid down three battleships Superior One of the "North Caroline" (New York Shipbuilding), "Massachusetts" (Philadelphia Navy Yard) and "South Dakota" (Bethlehem Steel).
Rapidity of Japanese battleships was an unpleasant surprise for American sailors. By the end of August 1934, it was noted that the Japanese battleships type "Nagato" have the speed is not 23 knots, and at least 25, which leads to the need to increase the speed of new US battleships to 26-27 knots. As a result, it was necessary to weaken the thick side armor "Washington" to 310 mm.
38500 t. 27 kt. 3x3 406-mm/45, 8x2 127-mm/38. Reservations: 310 mm.
Three battleships such as "North Karolpayna" was originally planned to build the same type as the first three, but a clash with Japanese battlecruisers such as "Congo" demonstrated that the speed of 27 knots and is no longer adequate, so that the project had to be redesigned to increase speed of up to 29 knots.
41000 t. 29 kt. 3x3 406-mm /45, 10x2 127-mm/38. Reservations: 310 mm.
Simultaneously, the US continued to increase him carrier fleet. In 1934 was laid down the third aircraft carrier of the "Yorktown" - "Wasp", and in early 1935 the fourth - "Hornet"
At the end of 1934 in Japan was laid down battleship "Musashi" (Kura), the same type of "Shinano" (Yokosuka) began construction in the spring of next year. An original feature of this project was the location of the fifth three-gun turrets 155-mm guns, under trunks turret of the main fire.
46000 t. 27 kt. 3x3 406-mm/50 5x3 155-mm/60 mm, 6x2 127-mm/40. Reservations: 356 mm.
Italians laid only one of the two new battleships ordered - "Vittorio Veneto". Fungible "Littorio" was never started construction.
In the Russian Empire in the autumn of 1934 laid the battleships " Imperatritsa Aleksandra" (Naval) and "Petr Velikiy" (Russian-Baltic Plant), and in early 1935 "Imperator Pavel I» (Russud), armed with eight sixteen-inch guns.
Which began in the summer of 1934 the Second World War, naturally buried all the limitations of the Washington and London Naval Treaty. Felt free from the constraints involved in the war state immediately began construction of new battleships. Nevertheless, before designers created new restrictions now associated with the need for rapid construction of battleships, limiting their displacement and not lets you perform all the requirements put forward by the sailors.
Until the end of 1934 the British were laid four battleships: "Lion" (Vickers-Armstrong), "Unicorn" (John Brown), "Emperor of India" (Fairfield) and "Prince of Wales" (Swan Hunter). The ideology of the project under development is strongly influenced by the complete absence (after the death of "Hood") as part of the Royal Navy fast battleships, combat power comparable with Russian "Izmails." Representatives demanded a fleet of ships to 30 knots of speed, superior Russian battle cruisers on arms and reservation, but as is often the case, to meet these requirements was only partially.
An initial draft of a armament of nine sixteen-inch guns was rejected almost immediately, as the Admiralty questioned the possibility of rapid production of this caliber guns and three-gun turrets. As a result began to develop a new version of a well-established 15-inch guns, increasing to 45 calibers long. For more acceleration work was recommended to lead the first ship of the tower left after the transformation is light-battlecruisers "Glorious" and "Courageoys" in aircraft carriers, and the on second to use the spare gun battleships type "Queen Elizabeth" and "Royal Sovereign". In order to reduce the displacement of at least a little to design ships, their speed was reduced to 29 knots, and the board armor was limited thickness of 330 mm (in the area of cellars) and 305 (engine and boiler room). Mine arms was presented twelve 152-mm guns in two-gun turrets, anti-aircraft and the same number of 114-mm, located in a recessed turrets.
42000 t. 29 kt. 4x2 381-mm/45, 6x2 152-mm/50, 6x2 114-mm/45. Reservations: 330-305 mm.
In the spring of 1936 the battleship "Emperor of India" has been renamed, received a new name - "King George V».
United States in 1934 were laid battleships "Washington" (Norfolk Navy Yard), and "Indiana" (Philadelphia Navy Yard). The third ship of this type, "Alabama" (New York Shipbuilding), was founded in the spring of next year. Until the end of 1935 in the United States were laid down three battleships Superior One of the "North Caroline" (New York Shipbuilding), "Massachusetts" (Philadelphia Navy Yard) and "South Dakota" (Bethlehem Steel).
Rapidity of Japanese battleships was an unpleasant surprise for American sailors. By the end of August 1934, it was noted that the Japanese battleships type "Nagato" have the speed is not 23 knots, and at least 25, which leads to the need to increase the speed of new US battleships to 26-27 knots. As a result, it was necessary to weaken the thick side armor "Washington" to 310 mm.
38500 t. 27 kt. 3x3 406-mm/45, 8x2 127-mm/38. Reservations: 310 mm.
Three battleships such as "North Karolpayna" was originally planned to build the same type as the first three, but a clash with Japanese battlecruisers such as "Congo" demonstrated that the speed of 27 knots and is no longer adequate, so that the project had to be redesigned to increase speed of up to 29 knots.
41000 t. 29 kt. 3x3 406-mm /45, 10x2 127-mm/38. Reservations: 310 mm.
Simultaneously, the US continued to increase him carrier fleet. In 1934 was laid down the third aircraft carrier of the "Yorktown" - "Wasp", and in early 1935 the fourth - "Hornet"
At the end of 1934 in Japan was laid down battleship "Musashi" (Kura), the same type of "Shinano" (Yokosuka) began construction in the spring of next year. An original feature of this project was the location of the fifth three-gun turrets 155-mm guns, under trunks turret of the main fire.
46000 t. 27 kt. 3x3 406-mm/50 5x3 155-mm/60 mm, 6x2 127-mm/40. Reservations: 356 mm.
Italians laid only one of the two new battleships ordered - "Vittorio Veneto". Fungible "Littorio" was never started construction.
In the Russian Empire in the autumn of 1934 laid the battleships " Imperatritsa Aleksandra" (Naval) and "Petr Velikiy" (Russian-Baltic Plant), and in early 1935 "Imperator Pavel I» (Russud), armed with eight sixteen-inch guns.
The Mystery of Two Oceans
"Oleg" left Kronstadt October 10, 1935. Cruiser had await a long hard hike whose ultimate goal was the Indian Ocean, teeming do not be frightened English and Japanese transports and tankers.
Having on board 24 torpedoes and 10 mines, "Oleg" successfully passed the Danish Straits, and in a wide arc skirting the British Isles, he went to the South Atlantic, trying to keep out of the shipping lines. Hike soon complicated appears regularly British seaplanes, apparently rising from enemy ships and forcing the "Oleg" go under the water.
Russian cruiser obviously looking for.
The commander of the cruiser, Captain 1st Rank Belyaev, several times changed course, hoping to find English hydroaircraft-carriers, but to fulfill it and failed. As it turned out, the British did not know anything about the campaign "Oleg", as several successive air transport have searched for American submarines, has long taken a liking for to hunt passing along the African coast of the English communication and stretching into the ocean again to recharge the batteries.
Nevertheless, the need for a long time remain submerged slowed "Oleg" and, instead of the planned 35 days, the transition to the southern tip of Africa, took more than two months. Expend resources batteries, care required to recharge their fuel. In the tropical ocean crew gasped vapors - humidity in the hull exceeded all imaginable norms. From frequent recharges batteries to boil, saturating the atmosphere of acid fumes. Rusted and the breakdown of machines, people suffering from skin and lung diseases.
November 1 "Oleg" almost became a victim of "friendly fire": commander of the American submarine "Bonita", has already released one torpedo on the cruiser, yet recognized Russian naval flag and had stop the next shot. Torpedo, however, passed astern "Oleg" and was not even noticed by Russian signalmen.
Without knowing about produced the cruiser by the attack, the crew of "Oleg" to investigate the incident the next day's mysterious disappearance sailor 2nd article Yu. Semetsky.. Sent from the aft torpedo room in to the galley, where he never arrived and never returned back. A thorough search in the compartments of the cruiser that was in that day underwater, yielded no results.
December 16 "Oleg" reached the rendezvous point where it had to wait in Brazil chartered steamer, which had on board food, water and 200 tons of diesel fuel in casks, but the Brazilian was not there. As it turned out later, the crew, for fear of being captured at the scene by British ships mutinied and arresting ship's officers, led his ship to Cape Town. However, the fate of the rebels was unenviable, if the officers escaped internment only until the end of the war, almost all the rebels were hanged by the verdict of the military court.
Without meeting the supplier, the cruiser was forced to start "hunting for fuel", but as luck would have encountered the court proved coal and only 22 December, with the Dutch schooner, which had an auxiliary diesel engine, it was possible to take 2 tons of fuel. Drop in the bucket! However, the result of hunting were three British steamer sunk, two of which were shot guns cruiser.
Although continuation of the campaign seemed to have exhausted the team complete adventure, and the Indian Ocean pipe dream, the commander of the cruiser decided to go to Madagascar, hoping to get fuel from Russian-keeping friendly neutrality of the French. On 24 December "Oleg" put a barrage of six mines walking distance from the entrance to the port of Cape Town (on the fate of the barrier is not known, so it can be assumed that all mines were put on too much depth).
The next morning, "Oleg" met a French barque, which was transferred to a post office, which included the command intend to report on the expedition cruiser. At noon, the ships parted and, accompanied by cheers French cruiser moved to south. More "Oleg" no one has ever seen.
To conduct post-war investigation of the disappearance of the largest submarine of the Russian Navy and the government has joined the South African Union, on its own initiative to survey both coasts of the country, but no wreckage washed ashore "Oleg" detect and failed.
Software is the most reliable version of the "Oleg" became a victim of the explosion of one of the remaining minutes on board of the "MDPL-30", the lack of reliability of which was discovered after the release of the cruiser in swimming.
The development of several types of submarines, had a displacement of 2,500 to 10,000 tons., with arms from three 152 mm up to six 203-mm guns was carried out in Russia since 1922. By the end of the 20-ies. work almost stopped, but the London Agreement in 1930 breathed, at least, in one embodiment, a second life.
Issued by the French in London permission to build a submarine "Syurkuf" was the result of Russia's demand to allocate and her quota for the construction of such a ship. The British agreed to this demand suspiciously easily, which is believed to now have been caused by negative operating experience submarine "X-1". The Russian Navy did not have such experience, except that of the design and construction of the steam turbine unfinished submarine "Akula".
Drafting cruiser with four 152-mm guns led KB Baltic plant.
The main stumbling block was the problem of sealing turrets had too much width and therefore the lack of rigidity when subjected to recoil. Designers offers placing guns in fixed towers, with the sectors of fire right on the nose and stern, respectively, but this idea was rejected. Command imagined not only the destruction of artillery merchant ships, but also attacks the enemy ports. Did not cause the response and offer designers arrange fixed tower linearly exalted in the bow, which fully meets the ideology submarine, tools which would have surely amaze leaving him more speed boats of the enemy.
Tempting solution seemed there was a proposal to lift the tower before rotating hydraulic jacks in the same position of the submarine subsurface were tightly pressed against the Barbet, thus providing a watertight overhead. This design of the tower is a return to the early towers of Erickson imposed on American screens since the Civil War. However, our tests have shown prototyping poor reliability of the circuit.
As a result, had to return to the location of two-gun units with common gun carriages, open top rotating artillery sites, repeated application of the scheme on the British "X-1". Elevators feeding shells were placed in the enclosure of the conning tower, so that the replenishment of ammunition (over fenders placed in sealed 10 rounds per gun) could be carried out only at the turn of installations in the stowed position.
Already in the process of construction started by the Baltic in 1931, has been added to twin 37-mm anti-aircraft automatic installation placed on the deckhouse.
From original deck torpedo tubes refused, as there were fears that the artillery battle, they become a threat to the ship itself. As a result, torpedo armament consisted of four nasal torpedo tubes with ammunition of 10 torpedoes, four aft torpedo tubes, with ammunition of 8 torpedoes, and instead each of them could take 5 mines, and 8 traverse torpedo tubes, placed in two compartments. Torpedo tubes were placed in these compartments, as they said, "Diamonds", and if in the nose compartment placed on top of the torpedo tubes on the port side, the stern vice versa. Recharging traverse devices could only be in the base, using the dock or special caissons.
In closed niches, located at the board by cutting and folding fitted with davits, placed two motor whaleboat. Two folding mast designed to stretch the radio antenna, located on sections of the starboard side of the cruiser.
And unsolved problem was the equipment "Oleg" reconnaissance aircraft. Aft gun mounts are not allowed to place convertible seaplane hangar like "Surcouf." Output shows the placement of the convertible gyroplane, cleaned in a vertical cylindrical storage and connected to the cable ship in flight, for which he would be pulled up and a winch to the landing site, located on a section of fence cutting. It was found that the weight of the cable limits the height to which the gyroplane can rise 40 meters, with no cable is required to ensure precise fit and failed. After the failure of the gyroplane begun to tackle the placement instead captive balloon, which was supposed to go down the alarm with discharging the hydrogen through the safety valve, and its shell was supposed to take the form of a parachute, it, however, is on testing are extremely rare. After the deaths of two balloonists, the use of the balloon and the cruiser was stayed without means of aerial reconnaissance, which naturally limits the area of detection of enemy ships.
Cruiser, called "Oleg" was launched in the spring of 1934, almost a year with half, passed the test and training course crew. The test results did not inspire the experts GAM: "Oleg" did not develop the design speed of 18 knots, pointing to the measured mile, only 17, 6 nodes, even during an emergency dive was more than three minutes in the position cruiser showed a lack of stability, the outer hull frames were clearly premature design, so that the working depth of immersion of the submarine had to limit to 60 meters.
However, the "war all justifies". In September 1936 the cruiser was accepted to the treasury, and began preparing for his first, and turned out to be the last war patrol.
Displacement (surface/underwater): 3120/3950 t.
Armament: 2x2 152-mm/55, 1x2 37-mm machine gun, bow 4, and 4 8 traverznyh feed 533 mm TA 40 minefields.
Dimensions: 108,0x9,9x4,6 m.
Propulsion: 3 diesel engine, with a total capacity of 7800 hp, electric motor 3, with a total capacity of 3000 hp
Speed: 17,6/9.8 knots.
Cruising range: 12,500 miles (11.5 knots)
"Oleg" left Kronstadt October 10, 1935. Cruiser had await a long hard hike whose ultimate goal was the Indian Ocean, teeming do not be frightened English and Japanese transports and tankers.
Having on board 24 torpedoes and 10 mines, "Oleg" successfully passed the Danish Straits, and in a wide arc skirting the British Isles, he went to the South Atlantic, trying to keep out of the shipping lines. Hike soon complicated appears regularly British seaplanes, apparently rising from enemy ships and forcing the "Oleg" go under the water.
Russian cruiser obviously looking for.
The commander of the cruiser, Captain 1st Rank Belyaev, several times changed course, hoping to find English hydroaircraft-carriers, but to fulfill it and failed. As it turned out, the British did not know anything about the campaign "Oleg", as several successive air transport have searched for American submarines, has long taken a liking for to hunt passing along the African coast of the English communication and stretching into the ocean again to recharge the batteries.
Nevertheless, the need for a long time remain submerged slowed "Oleg" and, instead of the planned 35 days, the transition to the southern tip of Africa, took more than two months. Expend resources batteries, care required to recharge their fuel. In the tropical ocean crew gasped vapors - humidity in the hull exceeded all imaginable norms. From frequent recharges batteries to boil, saturating the atmosphere of acid fumes. Rusted and the breakdown of machines, people suffering from skin and lung diseases.
November 1 "Oleg" almost became a victim of "friendly fire": commander of the American submarine "Bonita", has already released one torpedo on the cruiser, yet recognized Russian naval flag and had stop the next shot. Torpedo, however, passed astern "Oleg" and was not even noticed by Russian signalmen.
Without knowing about produced the cruiser by the attack, the crew of "Oleg" to investigate the incident the next day's mysterious disappearance sailor 2nd article Yu. Semetsky.. Sent from the aft torpedo room in to the galley, where he never arrived and never returned back. A thorough search in the compartments of the cruiser that was in that day underwater, yielded no results.
December 16 "Oleg" reached the rendezvous point where it had to wait in Brazil chartered steamer, which had on board food, water and 200 tons of diesel fuel in casks, but the Brazilian was not there. As it turned out later, the crew, for fear of being captured at the scene by British ships mutinied and arresting ship's officers, led his ship to Cape Town. However, the fate of the rebels was unenviable, if the officers escaped internment only until the end of the war, almost all the rebels were hanged by the verdict of the military court.
Without meeting the supplier, the cruiser was forced to start "hunting for fuel", but as luck would have encountered the court proved coal and only 22 December, with the Dutch schooner, which had an auxiliary diesel engine, it was possible to take 2 tons of fuel. Drop in the bucket! However, the result of hunting were three British steamer sunk, two of which were shot guns cruiser.
Although continuation of the campaign seemed to have exhausted the team complete adventure, and the Indian Ocean pipe dream, the commander of the cruiser decided to go to Madagascar, hoping to get fuel from Russian-keeping friendly neutrality of the French. On 24 December "Oleg" put a barrage of six mines walking distance from the entrance to the port of Cape Town (on the fate of the barrier is not known, so it can be assumed that all mines were put on too much depth).
The next morning, "Oleg" met a French barque, which was transferred to a post office, which included the command intend to report on the expedition cruiser. At noon, the ships parted and, accompanied by cheers French cruiser moved to south. More "Oleg" no one has ever seen.
To conduct post-war investigation of the disappearance of the largest submarine of the Russian Navy and the government has joined the South African Union, on its own initiative to survey both coasts of the country, but no wreckage washed ashore "Oleg" detect and failed.
Software is the most reliable version of the "Oleg" became a victim of the explosion of one of the remaining minutes on board of the "MDPL-30", the lack of reliability of which was discovered after the release of the cruiser in swimming.
The development of several types of submarines, had a displacement of 2,500 to 10,000 tons., with arms from three 152 mm up to six 203-mm guns was carried out in Russia since 1922. By the end of the 20-ies. work almost stopped, but the London Agreement in 1930 breathed, at least, in one embodiment, a second life.
Issued by the French in London permission to build a submarine "Syurkuf" was the result of Russia's demand to allocate and her quota for the construction of such a ship. The British agreed to this demand suspiciously easily, which is believed to now have been caused by negative operating experience submarine "X-1". The Russian Navy did not have such experience, except that of the design and construction of the steam turbine unfinished submarine "Akula".
Drafting cruiser with four 152-mm guns led KB Baltic plant.
The main stumbling block was the problem of sealing turrets had too much width and therefore the lack of rigidity when subjected to recoil. Designers offers placing guns in fixed towers, with the sectors of fire right on the nose and stern, respectively, but this idea was rejected. Command imagined not only the destruction of artillery merchant ships, but also attacks the enemy ports. Did not cause the response and offer designers arrange fixed tower linearly exalted in the bow, which fully meets the ideology submarine, tools which would have surely amaze leaving him more speed boats of the enemy.
Tempting solution seemed there was a proposal to lift the tower before rotating hydraulic jacks in the same position of the submarine subsurface were tightly pressed against the Barbet, thus providing a watertight overhead. This design of the tower is a return to the early towers of Erickson imposed on American screens since the Civil War. However, our tests have shown prototyping poor reliability of the circuit.
As a result, had to return to the location of two-gun units with common gun carriages, open top rotating artillery sites, repeated application of the scheme on the British "X-1". Elevators feeding shells were placed in the enclosure of the conning tower, so that the replenishment of ammunition (over fenders placed in sealed 10 rounds per gun) could be carried out only at the turn of installations in the stowed position.
Already in the process of construction started by the Baltic in 1931, has been added to twin 37-mm anti-aircraft automatic installation placed on the deckhouse.
From original deck torpedo tubes refused, as there were fears that the artillery battle, they become a threat to the ship itself. As a result, torpedo armament consisted of four nasal torpedo tubes with ammunition of 10 torpedoes, four aft torpedo tubes, with ammunition of 8 torpedoes, and instead each of them could take 5 mines, and 8 traverse torpedo tubes, placed in two compartments. Torpedo tubes were placed in these compartments, as they said, "Diamonds", and if in the nose compartment placed on top of the torpedo tubes on the port side, the stern vice versa. Recharging traverse devices could only be in the base, using the dock or special caissons.
In closed niches, located at the board by cutting and folding fitted with davits, placed two motor whaleboat. Two folding mast designed to stretch the radio antenna, located on sections of the starboard side of the cruiser.
And unsolved problem was the equipment "Oleg" reconnaissance aircraft. Aft gun mounts are not allowed to place convertible seaplane hangar like "Surcouf." Output shows the placement of the convertible gyroplane, cleaned in a vertical cylindrical storage and connected to the cable ship in flight, for which he would be pulled up and a winch to the landing site, located on a section of fence cutting. It was found that the weight of the cable limits the height to which the gyroplane can rise 40 meters, with no cable is required to ensure precise fit and failed. After the failure of the gyroplane begun to tackle the placement instead captive balloon, which was supposed to go down the alarm with discharging the hydrogen through the safety valve, and its shell was supposed to take the form of a parachute, it, however, is on testing are extremely rare. After the deaths of two balloonists, the use of the balloon and the cruiser was stayed without means of aerial reconnaissance, which naturally limits the area of detection of enemy ships.
Cruiser, called "Oleg" was launched in the spring of 1934, almost a year with half, passed the test and training course crew. The test results did not inspire the experts GAM: "Oleg" did not develop the design speed of 18 knots, pointing to the measured mile, only 17, 6 nodes, even during an emergency dive was more than three minutes in the position cruiser showed a lack of stability, the outer hull frames were clearly premature design, so that the working depth of immersion of the submarine had to limit to 60 meters.
However, the "war all justifies". In September 1936 the cruiser was accepted to the treasury, and began preparing for his first, and turned out to be the last war patrol.
Displacement (surface/underwater): 3120/3950 t.
Armament: 2x2 152-mm/55, 1x2 37-mm machine gun, bow 4, and 4 8 traverznyh feed 533 mm TA 40 minefields.
Dimensions: 108,0x9,9x4,6 m.
Propulsion: 3 diesel engine, with a total capacity of 7800 hp, electric motor 3, with a total capacity of 3000 hp
Speed: 17,6/9.8 knots.
Cruising range: 12,500 miles (11.5 knots)